Rachel hesitated, and then said, “Well there was this one lady who called, very attractive, she looked foreign. She knocked on the door I answered it; she said she wanted to speak with Rick. I called Rick he spoke with her outside for about five minutes then she left. When she had gone I asked Rick about her but he refused to discuss it saying only it was a Police matter.”
There was the blasting of a car horn, Rachel said “that will be my lift for the appointment at the night club”.
She rose and it was obvious the conversation had ended; they were all outside in a moment. The officers in the van were it seems distracted by some type of disturbance. Rachel ran up the path got into the waiting car driven by a middle aged man who kissed her as she sat down and both were gone in a flash.
Jack looked at Doris who said, “Not a grieving widow long it appears”.
Jack made no comment he was more interested in what the commotion was. As they arrived they saw a man had been arrested he was accompanied by several others all of whom were carrying banners “Fathers for justice”. It was only moments before an estate car arrived with Manchester Television Centre written all over it.”Jack looked at Doris and said, “Time for us to leave I think".
They got into their car and were away from there and from the area. Appearing on television was the last thing he wanted. Doris stopped lower down the road and typed in various items into the navigation box, then said, “It’s in, Chorlton Water Park”.
They were mobile once again and after about twelve miles arrived at the vast lake well signed Chorlton Park and Nature Reserve.
They walked around and it was not long before they came upon a seat with a bunch of flowers tied to it, the inscription on the seat read, “In memory or Rick Masterton a faithful friend and colleague of the mounted section of Manchester police who sadly died at this spot”.
“Well” said Jack “it appears this is the spot. He looked around then walked over to a map and description boards located nearby confirming all the chief had said of the area”.
Fifteen minutes later they were south bound for the rural area of Shropshire nearly 100 miles away,
“Well” said Doris, “there certainly now seems to be some links. It appears Wrexham Sid was known to Rick Masterton and to the two Cheshire Bobbies. We also know that it appears this same lady visited the officers both in Cheshire and here in Manchester not forgetting the same in Wrexham.
“Yes,” said Jack “very interesting. If there is a connection between Wrexham Sid and this woman that will be another line of enquiry. I have a note in my file. When we arrive back at the office, we will write it all up fully. We are still not any further forward regarding the causes of the deaths other than natural”.
“I agree” replied Doris “but as this Sid works at the hospital he could have had access to something but there again it should have shown up either at the PM or the toxicity tests”.
“Yes we still have a long way to go,” said Jack as tiredness was catching up with him especially as he now saw the sign Tarporley on their left as they headed south unable to stop at home.
The peace and tranquillity were disturbed when Doris’s phone went, yet again, thought Jack who recalled he had placed it in the car holder and so pressed answer and called “Yes, Jack Richards.”
A voice said “ Hello this is Chief Superintendent Ralph Jackson of the Shropshire police just to confirm we have arranged for you to see Mrs Sandra Cheshire here at Shrewsbury Police Station, she prefers to be seen here rather than having the police visit her home”.
“That is fine,” replied Jack.
“I also confirm,” said Jackson “that I myself will deal with this, I will accompany you to the scene of the death and I will hand you a copy of the Officer’s personal file upon your arrival”.
“Thank you so much,” said Jack and the call was ended.
It was 2pm when they arrived at the car park at Shrewsbury Police Station. A building in the modern design, that is to say two stories, dour and flat looking. Stopping in the car park there were the usual designated parking spaces in the usual pecking order from the Chief Superintendent down to Inspector, there were no specific spaces for the minions though Jack felt in the exalted few for there were some for visitors.
Having parked up they went into the reception and were greeted by a civilian dressed in a brown uniform one of four at the counter there being no sign of any uniform resembling that of a police officer.
“Hello can I be of help?” Asked the lady who from her name badge was a Mary.
“I am Inspector Scott-Ling; this is Mr Jack Richards both with an appointment to see Mrs Cheshire and Chief Super Ralph Jackson”.
“Ah yes, you are expected”. If you would please go to interview room 1 over there and take a seat someone will be along”.
”Thank you” replied Doris and as they turned and walked to the door, it opened as if by magic either that or Mary had pressed some device which unlocked and open doors.
They both went inside. It was a large room for an interview room, about three meters square. There was a desk with two chairs against the wall and two more placed in front of the desk. It would appear these had been strategically placed in advance pending their arrival. There was recording equipment in the room and a surveillance camera.
Jack and Doris looked at each other and it was left to Doris to comment, “Very different from our reception at the other police premises, Manchester in particular”.
Jack was an old hand and new the ropes so kept his own counsel but thought it was a case of belt and braces and over sensitivity.
They had been waiting only moments when a uniformed officer sporting a crown and chevron indicating he was a Chief Superintendent. He walked in accompanied by a lady.
Jack and Doris stood to greet the lady held out their hands but there was no response, the two simply walked by and sat behind the table.
Jack and Doris sat down and as they did, so Jack spoke first, “I am Mr Jack Richards. I am a retired detective Superintendent of New Scotland Yard and this is Police Inspector Scott-Ling of the Cheshire Constabulary.”
“We are making some enquiries to review the deaths of several young police officers.”
“The initial enquires and to date our enquiries indicate the deaths were all natural causes.”
Our task at the request of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary is to prepare a report for the Home Secretary to confirm the deaths were in fact natural”.
“I see,” said Jackson “well you are aware who I am. This is Mrs Sandra Cheshire widow of Constable Gerald Cheshire. Mrs Cheshire has requested that I remain present whilst she is interviewed and that a record is made of the proceedings, is that correct Sandra?”
“Yes it is” she replied, seemingly to order.
“Well now” replied Jack doing all he could to remain calm but was inwardly livid, not only from the surroundings but the attitude adopted. Belligerent he thought but nothing he could report adversely on to the HMI.
“Well Mrs Cheshire and Mr Jackson, let me first of all put your minds at rest. Neither myself nor Inspector Scott-Ling have the slightest intention of interviewing you.”
“I might add if you were given that impression you have been misinformed.”
“We hope simply to ask you one or two simple questions to ascertain if you may unwittingly have some information that may be of help.”
“Now Mr Jackson it is your police station you may conduct proceedings how you choose but I must emphasise this from the outset, all our questions and answers if any are given will be for the eyes and ears of the office of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and that of the Home Secretary and those they designate to also receive our findings, is that quite clear?”
“Why yes,” replied Jackson having the wind taken out of his sales more than a little by this obviously seasoned investigator.